Travis Louie is putting a human face on the microscopic organisms that make us sick in his latest sketch series. 'GERMS' is filled with black and white sketches of germs with human features like mustaches and mouths.
Personally, when I see Travis Louie's 'GERMS,' I can't help but be reminded of a 1920s and 30s criminal. The slick suits, the facial hair and the ties all contribute to making the germs of 'GERMS' look more like two-bit gangsters and less like invisible organisms.
Travis Louie's decision to go with a black and white color scheme for 'GERMS' was a great choice. Often times when germs are rendered in human form they are extremely colorful. Even a pink germ with a full beard still looks childish more often than not. Travis Louie's black and white coloring adds a nice level of maturity to these drawings. I almost wouldn't mind picking these guys up on a bathroom doorknob and taking them home with me. Almost.
What's Driving This Trend
- Humanization of Microscopic Organisms
- Opportunity to create similar artistic representations of other microscopic entities, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that could be used in educational or scientific settings.
- Black and White Sketch Art
- Opportunity to introduce a modern take on traditional sketch art, using black and white techniques to create unique pieces of art that could be displayed in homes or businesses.
- Merging of Art and Science
- Opportunity to collaborate with artists and scientists to create visually appealing representations of microscopic organisms that can be used to aid in scientific research and education.
Who This Affects Most
- Microbiology
- Opportunity to use artistic representations of germs and other microscopic organisms to educate the public about the importance of hygiene and disease prevention.
- Art and Design
- Opportunity to create unique art pieces using black and white sketch techniques that could be sold to art enthusiasts or displayed in galleries.
- Medical Illustration
- Opportunity to use the humanization of germs and other microorganisms in medical publications and textbooks to engage students and medical professionals.
